Final answer:
Flow cytometry is a technique that uses fluorescently labeled antibodies to quantify specific subsets of cells in complex mixtures. It can analyze and sort cells based on their fluorescence properties. A laser is used to activate the fluorogen and measure the fluorescence intensity of each cell.
Step-by-step explanation:
Flow cytometry is a technique used to quantify specific subsets of cells in complex mixtures using fluorescently labeled antibodies. It can be used to analyze and sort cells based on their fluorescence properties. The fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) is a modification of flow cytometry that physically separates cells into high and low fluorescence populations. A laser is used in flow cytometry to activate the fluorogen and measure the fluorescence intensity of each cell, which is then detected by a fluorescence detector positioned at an angle from the incident laser light.